Cricket: Clarke and Haddin make England pay

Australia's captain Michael Clarke celebrates yet another century during the second Ashes test against England. Photo / AP

Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin scored centuries and shared a 200-run partnership as Australia plundered the England bowlers before declaring at 570-9 yesterday in the second Ashes test.

Clarke scored 148, his second consecutive hundred and 26th overall, and Haddin scored 118 before he was out just after tea on the second day at the Adelaide Oval. Both made the most of reprieves after being dropped early in their innings.

Ryan Harris played a late cameo, hitting an unbeaten 55 from 54 balls including two sixes on consecutive balls from Graeme Swann to lift Australia past 500 and six boundaries coming in at No 9.

Stuart Broad returned the best figures for England with 3-98 on a flat wicket, while spinners Graeme Swann (2-151) and Monty Panesar (1-157) were punished by the batsmen. New Zealand-born allrounder Ben Stokes returned 2-70 in his test debut, including the key wicket of Clarke, after having a caught behind decision against Haddin overruled for a no-ball in the morning session.

At stumps England were 35-1 after losing opener and captain Alastair Cook early.

Clarke and Haddin wrested momentum back for Australia after they had slipped from 155-1 to 174-4 after winning the toss and batting on day one.

Clarke came into the test averaging more than 100 at Adelaide and didn't relent in pursuit of an above-average innings, his sixth test hundred at the Adelaide Oval. He shared an 83-run stand with George Bailey (53), then set the Adelaide Oval record sixth-wicket partnership with Haddin to revive the innings.

Haddin, who scored 94 and 53 in Australia's 381-run victory in the first test, reached his fourth test hundred and faced 177 balls before he edged Broad to Matt Prior. He clubbed five sixes and 11 boundaries before leaving the pitch when Australia still had a wicket in hand.

Australia resumed at 273-5 yesterday, with Clarke on 48, and didn't lose a wicket in the morning session while adding 116 runs.

Clarke, who missed training earlier in the week with an injured right ankle, showed no signs of any hindrance as he stroked 17 boundaries in his 245-ball innings.

England's frustrating fielding continued yesterday, compounded the three dropped catches before stumps on day one.

Clarke, who was dropped on 18 and 91, was finally out to a tired chip at a slower ball from Stokes.

- AP